Tonyan signed with the Vikings' practice squad Wednesday, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Tonyan was diagnosed with back spasms in late July, which held him out of practices and all three of the Vikings' preseason games. With T.J. Hockenson (knee) starting the regular season on the PUP list and Nick Muse dealing with an undisclosed injury, Tonyan -- if healthy -- could be elevated to the active roster to provide tight end depth behind Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt for Week 1 against the Giants.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Released by Minnesota
Rotowire
Tonyan (back) was released by Minnesota on Tuesday, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Tonyan was competing for a reserve tight-end role but suffered a back injury early in camp and missed crucial time. He could find a spot on a practice squad when back to full strength (though he did recently return to practice).
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Limited in practice Tuesday
Rotowire
Tonyan (back) participated in positional drills during Tuesday's practice, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Tonyan hadn't practiced fully since July 31 due to back spasms, so it's encouraging to see him back on the field in some capacity. With T.J. Hockenson (knee) expected to miss time early in the regular season while working his way back from an ACL tear, Tonyan could offer some fantasy value in deeper formats if he's able to get healthy and suit up against the Giants in Week 1.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Still sidelined with back injury
Rotowire
Tonyan has not played this preseason and hasn't returned to practice after being sidelined July 31 with back spasms, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Tonyan had a shot to be a sleeper in the offense with T.J. Hockenson likely to miss games as he works his way back from an ACL injury. However, he's going to have a hard time making the roster with the injury and could end up being released or placed on injured reserve.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Lower back spasms confirmed
Rotowire
Coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Friday that Tonyan is dealing with lower-back spasms.
Tonyan, who was carted off the field Wednesday, didn't practice Friday, but O'Connell hopes to have the tight end back in time for the team's preseason games. Once Tonyan returns to the mix, he'll continue to compete with Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt for added pass-catching opportunities in the Vikings offense while T.J. Hockenson (knee) remains sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Diagnosed with back spasms
Rotowire
Tonyan, who was carted off the field during Wednesday's practice session, was diagnosed with back spasms, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Tonyan was down on the field for an extended period of time before being carted off, per Lewis. The tight end looks to have avoided a serious injury, though he may be held out of the next few practice sessions until medical staff get a better sense on the severity of the injury. With Tonyan and T.J. Hockenson (knee) both sidelined, Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt should see some reps with the first-team offense during drills.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Exits practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Tonyan was carted off the practice field Wednesday with an unspecified injury, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
The tight end can be considered day-to-day until further information is available on the nature of his injury. With T.J. Hockenson still recovering from a knee injury, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Tonyan are candidates to see added snaps and targets for the Vikings early on this season.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Finds home in Minnesota
Rotowire
Tonyan and the Vikings agreed to terms Thursday on a contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Tonyan suited up for all 17 games with the Bears last season, but he secured only 11 of 17 targets for 107 yards. He joins a Minnesota tight end room behind T.J. Hockenson (knee), who isn't a lock to be ready for Week 1 as he works his way back from a serious knee injury. That could give Tonyan the opportunity to compete with Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt for an expanded early season role.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: Takes on expanded role
Rotowire
Tonyan caught three passes for 40 yards in the Bears' 37-17 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Although Cole Kmet (knee) was active in this game, Tonyan was the only Chicago tight end utilized in the passing game. Tonyan was third on the team with four targets, and the only Chicago player with more receiving yards was DJ Moore. This was the only time all season that the veteran tight end posted 20 or more yards, but if Kmet's back in his typical role next week at Green Bay, Tonyan would likely go back to seeing minimal work as a receiver.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: Targeted once in victory
Rotowire
Tonyan caught a 14-yard pass in the Bears' 27-16 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.
Tonyan caught his first pass since Week 9, and he's yet to post 20 yards in any game. However, if Cole Kmet (knee) is forced to miss time, Tonyan could become Chicago's primary receiving tight end. When Tonyan was the Packers' top tight end in 2022, he caught 53 passes for 470 yards and two touchdowns, if he's put into a similar role with the Bears, he could be a streaming option at tight end.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: Targeted once in defeat
Rotowire
Tonyan failed to catch his lone target in the Bears' 20-17 loss to the Browns on Sunday.
Tonyan doesn't have a catch since Week 9, and he has just seven catches on the season. Unless Cole Kmet misses time, it's unlikely that Tonyan sees an increased role in the Chicago offense.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: Goes untargeted in Week 14
Rotowire
Tonyan played 17 of 71 snaps on offense and went without a target in Sunday's 28-13 win over the Lions.
The Bears brought in a pair of ex-Packers tight ends in Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis this offseason, but both players have seen their opportunities in the passing game take a hit with the move from Green Bay to Chicago. With Cole Kmet having stayed healthy so far this season, he's dominated the snaps at tight end every week while leaving scraps available for Tonyan and Lewis. Sunday's contest marked the third time in four games that Tonyan failed to draw a target.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: One grab in loss
Rotowire
Tonyan caught an 18-yard pass in the Bears' 24-17 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Tonyan is averaging less than one reception per game, and he's yet to post 20 yards in any contest. Unless he moves into a more prominent receiving role, he'll have limited fantasy value.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: One target in losing effort
Rotowire
Tonyan caught one pass for eight yards in the Bears' 30-13 loss to the Chargers on Sunday.
Tonyan has yet to see more than two targets in any contest, and he has not posted more than 18 yards in a game this season. Unless his role increases, he'll retain low fantasy value.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: Secures lone target
Rotowire
Tonyan had an 11-yard reception in the Bears' 19-13 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.
Tonyan has recorded between 10 and 18 yards in each of his last three games as the Bears' No. 2 tight end. With Cole Kmet the team's top receiving tight end, it may be difficult for Tonyan to see more than a couple targets per week.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: Two grabs in win
Rotowire
Tonyan caught both of his targets for 10 yards in the Bears' 40-20 win over the Commanders on Thursday.
Tonyan has caught two passes in each of his past two games, but as long as Cole Kmet is on the field, Tonyan's upside will be limited. On the season, he has four catches for 28 yards in four games played.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: Two grabs in loss
Rotowire
Tonyan caught two passes for 18 yards in the Bears' 31-28 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Tonyan's two receptions were his first catches of the season. As the clear No. 2 tight end behind Cole Kmet, Tonyan will likely struggle to see consistent target volume.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: Targeted twice in defeat
Rotowire
Tonyan failed to catch either of his two targets in the Bears' 27-17 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.
After being sidelined for the season opener, Tonyan made his Chicago debut as the secondary tight end option behind Cole Kmet. Even though it's unlikely than Tonyan challenges Kmet for regular targets, he could see a couple passes thrown his way in many games.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: Playing Sunday
Rotowire
Tonyan (back) is active for Sunday's game against the Packers.
Tonyan avoided the Bears' Week 1 injury report until Saturday, when he was tacked on to it with a back issue and listed as questionable for Sunday. It won't stop him from suiting up for the season opener, but he may yield TE reps to Marcedes Lewis behind Cole Kmet, the Bears' top option at the position. No matter, Tonyan will be looking to make an impact versus his previous employer.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: Added to injury report
Rotowire
Tonyan was added to the injury report Saturday with a back injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Packers.
The Bears elevated Stephen Carlson from the practice squad signaling something was amiss with the tight end personnel. Tonyan, an offseason addition for the Bears, was expected to be a key contributor alongside newly re-signed starter Cole Kmet, although the exact playing time split for the two tight ends wasn't clear. Expect Marcedes Lewis to come in as a blocking specialist in the event Tonyan is unable to play.
